Plane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic

, as we walked back to the steamer. "When Clinch finds that you

pay my board for a time, I shall be satisfied. I will do the

n. "I don't know where to look for one, but I suppose

xactly

inch, where the captain was acquainted, and he inqui

now just the place for h

the world," answered the captain,

She has no other property except her furniture, and the rent of this store about pays her expenses. She is a little timid, and does not like to be alone in the house at

going to work for Clinch to-morrow, an

er, as he conducted us up stairs

judged that the tenement could not contain more than four rooms. We were taken up stairs, and found the lady in her little parlor. She was about fifty yea

I could get one of the young men in the store to sleep in the house, I should

ough," replied Captain Davis.

ter," added the lady, wiping a tear

ost boys of his age. He has fought through one campaign

captain," I

is man, at any rate. H

n. I have studied it, a

ought, at one time, I would take a boy who would help me, and work a little for his board, but I con

e. Phil can't afford to pay much for his board. He

water from the cellar, which is down two flights, and

d to help you, Mrs.

madam?" said the captain, begi

spoke so handsomely of me, that my modesty will not permit me to quote his testimony. I walked back to the steamer with Captain Davis, and after thanking him, from the depths of my heart, for all his kindness and care, I took my leave of him. He told me he should send all the effects of Mr. Gracewood to the storeh

. It was plainly but very neatly furnished. She told me I could put my clothes in the drawers of the bureau; but I answered that I had none to put there, except a single woollen shirt, and a pair of socks, which I had washed myself on board of the steamer. I wore a s

d I told her all I knew about my past history. She was deeply interested in the narrative, and asked me a great many questions about the Gracewoods, which I answered to the best of my abili

han I could have done it even a year later. I went down into the kitchen, which was the room Mrs. Greenough occupied

ut house, Phil," said sh

keep house at the cleari

can yo

ry and boil bacon, and I can bake bread. We didn'

make pies

ings at the clearing until

rich folks,

not do them much good out in the woods. I

hen they come you will h

ey will go among big folks, where I cannot go

rse you

ful young lady,"

ur father and mother

do that; I doubt whe

ho they are. Of course they had some relations somewher

mean to take care of myself. Mr. Gracewood h

If you should be sick, you

stice to the fare. I am not sure that my landlady was not alarmed when she realized my eating capacity, as compared with the price I was t

o see you on hand in se

be on time

en two dollars a day

d, pointing to a boy of eighteen or nineteen, who w

ing. I give him a dollar a day. He doesn't know the business,

irected him to take me under his charge. The frame of the

ffening out of you in about two hours," s

eak down I will give

u can lift your

ift both ends

pluck, but it's ha

keep my

, and could easily handle any lumber used on the work. I carried my end of each board up to the frame, and I am sure I drove as man

o bed now?" asked Conan

! No. Why

ou tucke

resh as I did this morning, but I shall

a tough '

et along?" asked Mr. Clinch, a

much as Morgan," replied Conant, with more

etting along well. It will be easier

for I was very anxious to hear from the Gracewoods. I hastened towards the landing. I met the passengers as they came up, and on inquiry of one o

ross the levee. I thought that I had business with him, and I hastened t